Plant-Based Comfort Food: Vegan Mac & Cheese Recipe

CREAMY, YET HEALTHY AND LIGHT

I went on a fabulous beach vacation over spring break and now my pants don't fit. The button on my jeans is protesting my overconsumption of beer and "hey, it's vacation!" tortilla chips and chocolate treats.

It was worth it, though, and now it's time to get back on track with some lighter fare. This recipe for Vegan Mac & Cheese fits the bill perfectly—it is rich in nutrients and fibre, low in fat, and deliciously satisfying. The combination of sweet potato, cauliflower, and red pepper bursts with antioxidants and Vitamins A and C. Plus, the sauce is so creamy, it's hard to believe that there is no actual cream involved! Not only does this "cheese" sauce go great with pasta, it also makes a great dip for tortilla chips—although, those are OFF my "to-eat" list right now . . . at least until my jeans fit again!

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups cauliflower florets

1 cup sweet potato, peeled and diced

1/2 cup diced red pepper

2 cloves garlic, peeled and ends cut off

1/2 cup almond milk (or coconut, soy, dairy for a nut-free option)

1/4 cup nutritional yeast

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

3 cups macaroni, fusilli, or penne

In a large saucepan, cover cauliflower, sweet potato, and red pepper with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until vegetables are fork tender.

In the last two minutes of cooking, add the garlic cloves into the simmering water. This will blanch the cloves and allow for a more mellow garlic flavour.

Nicole loves food! She loves cooking, baking, grocery shopping, and just wearing her apron that sports a cupcake motif. For the most part she avoids processed and packaged foods and loves to create recipes based on her craving-of-the-day. Nicole is a longtime vegetarian (sometimes vegan) who lives in Calgary with her husband, two sons, and a male dog. Her testosterone-infused house is one full of meat-lovers, and she ties on that cupcake apron to incorporate her family’s love of meat into her own meatless meals. Vegetarian and vegan meals can be simple and delicious — and can easily be adapted for those who are on Team Carnivore.

Join Nicole as she divulges tips and tricks for creating meals, snacks, and desserts that appeal to the whole family, vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.